Jog-a-thons are in season

Marisa O’Neil

Children from Mariners and Paularino elementary schools probably

slept soundly Friday night.

Both schools held their annual jog-a-thon fundraisers on Friday,

just days after similar events at California and Victoria elementary

schools. The annual jog-a-thons raise money for the schools and are

enough to tucker out even the most energetic kindergartener.

“The other benefit [of the jog-a-thon] is that they’re going to

bed early tonight,” said Ann Kelly as she watched her 5-year-old son

Patrick race around the track at Mariners.

Students collected pledges for each lap they completed in a timed

30-minute run. Dance music from a hired disc jockey thumped in the

background as scores of kindergartners dashed around huge circles

painted on the grassy field.

After a while, they slowed their pace, but there were still

occasional bursts of energy.

Over by the obstacle course, Robert Burnand faced a difficult

choice -- which of his triplets to cheer for. All were winners in his

mind, but 6-year-old Carter, he confessed, was probably the fastest.

“Hi, Daddy!” Carter shouted excitedly as he stood at the starting

line. “I ran 30 laps!”

In the next lane, Kendall Burnand jumped up and down, calling

“Daddy, Daddy!” His daughter Steele, meanwhile, played it cool as she

prepared for the race.

The Mariners jog-a-thon raises money the PTA uses for art,

science, music and physical education programs. Last year, it raised

$70,000, said PTA member Yvette Jolly.

On Wednesday, California Elementary School held its jog-a-thon,

raising about $22,000 in pledges, the school’s PTA president, Kendall

Kunert, said. The money goes toward the school’s science and

technology program there. Victoria Elementary School’s jog-a-thon,

also on Wednesday, raised about $3,000 for assemblies and field

trips, PTA president Hydee Beth said. Newport Elementary School held

its jog-a-thon for its arts programs back in February.